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What should I get? — Parallax Forums

What should I get?

VaatiVaati Posts: 712
edited 2012-02-22 20:42 in General Discussion
Okay, for my birthday tomorrow, I am getting money.· There is a 15% discount on an order placed when it is your birthday, so...

I don't want to spend any more than $70.


One thing is, I know I don't want a BASIC Stamp module.



Thanks for your suggestions.

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Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

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Comments

  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-07-26 02:38
    It depends on what you want to play with and what you want to learn

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    ··Thanks for any·idea.gif·that you may have and all of your time finding them smile.gif

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    Sam
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-07-26 03:11
    vaati

    Whats wrong with the BS2?


    ________________$WMc%_________

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    The Truth is out there············································ BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-07-26 04:53
    Introduction to Sensors Kit

    Normally: $79.99
    With Discount: $67.99

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    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-07-26 05:29
    A multimeter or a soldering iron... (I know, it's not Parallax so you don't get the discount but they're vital tools in any electronics experimentation beyond simple circuits).
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-07-26 05:39
    if you don't already have one multimeter and iron are musts but I am pretty sure I saw post where you were soldering and you can't buy a good iron for $70.(I am huge advicate of JBC irons but expect $400 by the time you buy tips)

    Parallax USB Oscilloscope - out of price range but extremely useful to have a scope.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-07-26 05:41
    another cool one μOLED-128-G1

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • VaatiVaati Posts: 712
    edited 2009-07-26 14:05
    Well, I've got a WP25 and an excellent tip....

    $WMc%,
    I really like the Basic stamp, but since I already have a BS2 HWB and have mastered every aspect of it, I am leaning more towards the prop.... smile.gif

    I was looking at that μOLED-128-G1... That would be awesome...
    I don't want to spend too much, because I want to save up for the expo.
    I'm thinking about getting the HYDRA book and RCA and PS/2 breadboard adapters--approximately $51, as well as a few parts from Digikey. Is the HYDRA book + Propeller chip worth it?


    Thanks.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

    *-NEW-* SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
  • deanwesterburgdeanwesterburg Posts: 25
    edited 2012-02-21 17:52
    I just started playing with the Prop after a year or so of tinkering with the BasicStamp2. I really like the Prop and I find I both BS2 and Prop usefull but for different purposes:

    The BS2 code is much more simple, so I utilize it to understand a new sensor or device quickly. It provideds a small learning curve and lets me focus on the theory and the input or output of the the new device or sensor.

    I use the Prop in the final projects. They are dirt cheap and way more powerfull with multiple cogs.

    If you dont already have a Prop, I would buy one. If you are aware of the idea of "Modules' in a typical programing language, you will love the Prop. People have writen modules that can be downloaded in the Object Exchange area of the parallax site and you can simply call them in your projects. I have 3 props and find my Propeller Education 40-pin DIP kit gets the most use and even it is easy to connect to a TV via 4 pins of the chip connected to 4 resistors and a RCA connector.


    I guess it goes without saying, my vote is Get a prop kit! :)
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2012-02-21 19:04
    Well, Dean, it's been > 2 1/2 years, so...
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2012-02-22 09:18
    The user that originally posted this thread has abandoned Parallax products and has started working with FPGA's. He hasn't worked with Parallax products for at least 1.5 years, and he hasn't visited this forum since. How did you find this thread, anyway?
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-02-22 09:45
    Ironic, since FPGA's are generally much more expensive. Although I suppose it has the advantage of rarely needing much in the way of expensive peripherals. You spend so much time just getting a serial port to work that you never get on to a full robot!
    Microcontrolled wrote: »
    The user that originally posted this thread has abandoned Parallax products and has started working with FPGA's. He hasn't worked with Parallax products for at least 1.5 years, and he hasn't visited this forum since. How did you find this thread, anyway?
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2012-02-22 10:25
    He is in college now, and has his own job. I guess he can afford it. I've never really gotten in to FPGA's, so we haven't talked in a while. He is infamous for working on something until it's 70% done, than moving on to something else, so I'm not quite sure how FPGA's are working out for him.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-02-22 10:55
    Getting started with FPGAs can cost under $50, with the cheap hardware that is available on Ebay.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-02-22 12:46
    Microcontrolled wrote: »
    He is infamous for working on something until it's 70% done, than moving on to something else

    There's a common saying: "You can get 80% of the results with 20% of the effort."

    I'm guessing his 70% only takes 10 or 15% of the effort. I have lots of 69% completed projects myself.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-02-22 12:49
    That's the Pareto principle.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-02-22 12:52
    Leon wrote: »
    That's the Pareto principle.

    Thanks Leon. I didn't know it had a name.

    One of my chemical engineering teachers said it in a class lecture.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-02-22 20:42
    Leon wrote: »
    Getting started with FPGAs can cost under $50, with the cheap hardware that is available on Ebay.

    Possibly, but if you want to do larger projects then it does get expensive, like $2000 a board expensive: http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,400,795&Prod=XUPV5

    Of course, the OP is now academic so it's much cheaper ($750), and it is a top of the line board.
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